IT was a touch unfortunate for depleted Old Wesley to come up against such formidable opposition at Donnybrook on Saturday. With two unenviable trips down to Munster in the next fortnight, Old Wesley look doomed to the drop.

Ballymena, with five successive wins, are now a much meaner outfit under Springbok Nelie Smith. However, Smith will have been fuming after his side allowed Old Wesley back into the game with 14 minutes remaining when full back, Ricky McImoyle, failed to get the touchdown for a 22 dropout, with Rob Casey the benefactor. And with Simon Mitchell converting, Ballymena had squandered all but four of their 17 point lead.

But McImoyle quickly atoned for his little slip with a try to settle the issue, with number eight Dave McCartney and international wing James Topping, also breaching the Old Wesley line.

The early signs pointed to a tight encounter, with the two kickers, Mitchell and Mclmoyle, trading kicks to leave the sides at nine points each. But a disastrous spell for Old Wesley saw Ballymena cruise into a 26 9 lead, wit tries from former Ireland outhalf Derek McAleese, and forwards Andy Graham and Dave McCartney.